Can’t Talk. Tooth Hurts.
So, I have bad teeth.
I’m not sure which parent is to blame for my bad dental inheritance, or maybe it’s the combination of the two that lead to the disaster in my mouth. Either way, I was born missing several permanent teeth causing my mouth to shift all other teeth when baby teeth were lost. Except, of course, for the one miracle baby tooth with the root from hell which I still have. And which always inspires dentists and hygienists to guffaw over how I still have it and that, by the looks of the root, I may have it forever. Which is good, because there is no permanent tooth anywhere to replace it.
These teeth spurred several years of braces and the need to wear a headgear…all day. Not just as night like some of my friends. No, that would have been too simple. I had to wear it all day. I actually had two. One for day, one for night. They were both equally sexy.
The childhood dental tragedies let to an irrational dental phobia for my adulthood. I also had a dreadful procedure a few years ago where they placed “permanent” caps on a few teeth to add a few more fake teeth between them. It was painful, embarrassing (don’t ask) and I have hated my smile ever since. Hence skipping the dentist for the next several years.
Recently I braved it up and went to the dentist where the insisted I have my upper wisdom teeth cut out and sent me two different oral surgeons to schedule consults with. I haven’t done this yet as I’m SCARED AS SHIT.
Well, you know what motivates you? When the wisdom teeth start hurting. Hurting so bad you can’t concentrate on anything but the pain.
That’s what started yesterday. I’ll be scheduling my consult today. If I can talk. As it is right now, my wisdom tooth is causing me so much pain I’ve lost all patience with my kids, motivation for domestic chores, and tolerance for anything edible. Let’s hope that the consultation requires pain medication. That would be nice.
That’s so not fair! You didn’t even get all your permanent teeth, and now they’re going to take out some of the ones you DID get? Man.
The good news is that having them out is a pretty easy thing. Of course, saying that to you warrants a major knock on wood since you’ve got negative luck with teeth-y things.
Aw, hope you get some pain meds soon. I always get dentists and dental students crowding around to get out my teeth that grew in BACKWARDS. (Good times.) Luckily, they’re on the sides of my mouth so you can’t really tell.
Good luck with your teeth!
I had my (four impacted) wisdom teeth removed when I was in college. It was so long ago that I was actually put in the hospital for two nights…
On the plus side, I lost quite a bit of weight because it hurt too much to eat?
Thinking good thoughts (I also have a dental phobia).
I feel your pain; my mouth is SO messed up from movement (despite braces!)
I don’t think they give you anything for the consult, sorry! But I was put under for removal of my wisdom teeth. I drifted off listening to the Goo Goo Dolls…it was niiiiiiice….
I’m opposed to the dentist & their torture too. Although I’m always thankful for them when something goes wrong. Hope that your consults are easy not only on your mouth but also your wallet.
Gameboy had all 4 impacted wisdom teeth taken out earlier this summer & despite his hypochondrism has lived to tell about it…over, and over, and over again.
I had my wisdom teeth out a few years ago, and it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. Of course they put me under for the procedure, which helped. But I was really freaked out right beforehand because I could hear a woman in the next room yelling and crying – she wasn’t making any sense and sounded drunk. Turns out some people have weird reactions when they are waking up after the procedure. (Fortunately I didn’t – or at least everyone told me I didn’t.) Make sure you follow their instructions afterward – I got one dry socket even though I did everything I was supposed to, and it was quite uncomfortable. But I got by with just Tylenol and never had to take any of the pain meds they gave me, which was a pleasant surprise. If yours are this painful already, having them removed will probably be a huge improvement!
I totally had my wisdom teeth cut out and it wasn’t bad at all – have them put you totally under and have someone there with you while the surgery is going on. You wake up like forever later and have no idea where you are and the pain meds make you feel all WHEE!!!
Ow! Tooth pain is the worst…
I am not overly fond of the Dentist myself. finally had my wisdom teeth removed, and I was a baby about it…I hope you get some relief soon!!
I feel you with the ignoring things until you can’t anymore. I finally made an appointment with an orthopedist today because I’m now unable to bend my knee. I am sending you sympathy and wishes for a quick resolution.
I didn’t go to the dentidt for almost 10yrs but went when my wisdom tooth acted up. I went ahead and had all 4 removed at same time. Also had the nitrous AND IV meds to put me in “twilight” state. I don’t remember most of it. I did cry because of the nitrous afterwards but mom had same reaction to nitrous.
Much less traumatic then the first cleaning after 10 years. Some dentists will have you take valium or get nitrous if you are anxious.
Having your wisdom teeth taken out should be easy. I had mine done in college (12 years ago) and I was put under but not all the way under. Does that make sense? It wasn’t anesthesia but it was enough stuff to make me unaware of what was going on. And my teeth came out easily. It’ll be okay. I had a terribly scary experience with a dentist as a child so I understand where you’re coming from. I was very nervous about the whole thing. Plus they gave me pain medication after I was done, maybe percocet? i don’t remember. Must’ve been good stuff. You’ll do GREAT!
My husband still has one of his baby teeth. So you’re not alone! And when he had his wisdom teeth out two years ago he had chocolate milkshakes every day for a week. Good luck!
For the pain, try gum (seriously!) and Orajel. Worked for me every time (I’ve had all my wisdom teeth taken out – two with general anesthesia and two with just local/laughing gas – DO NOT RECOMMEND). And my husband is having similar caps issues right now, so I sympathize. It’s painful *and* expensive!
I’m sorry you’re going through all that! But! if you have to wait between the consult and the extractions- ask the doc for something for the pain. The goal of most dentists that I’ve met (I’m a dental assistant and dental hygiene student) is to resolve pain first and then take care of the rest.
As for your dental anxiety- you can ask for valium for your appointments to take the edge off. Not all docs do that, but it never hurts to ask!
Good luck!
I still have one of my baby teeth too, at 36 years of age no less. My daughters both inherited from me missing permanent teeth. I foresee large dental bills in my future. Oh well. Good luck!!
I have to have all four of my pulled and have put it off for months. Just got my x-rays and am trying to get the nerve to call for an appointment. I don’t want pain. I am with you.
I understand where you’re coming from, oh so much. I feel your pain (almost literally) .
In the last 19 years I have had:
1 Frankel Retainer (2 years?)
Braces (5 years)
Invisible braces (eh, 8 years?)
More Braces (4 years)
2 wisdom teeth removed (I only had 2)
4 permanent molars removed
I am having Orthognathic Surgery this fall (I hope) due to my jaw being recessed and causing a ton of problems.
They’ll break my jaw in 6 places and slide it forward, reattaching it with screws. Liquid diet for 6-8 weeks.
I am frustrated and done with it all.
I feel your pain and am so sorry, Zoot.
I feel your pain-literally right now due to some teeth pain myself. Hope you get to feeling better.
Oragel (and similar products) do help with the pain.
HOLY CRAP, Kim.. I am having the exact problem RIGHT NOW. Like, I can’t even close my jaw from the pain. And my jaw pops ALL.THE.TIME. But I hate the dentist and hate people being in my mouth (heh) and I will not go. Nor will I have my wisdom teeth removed.
They will have to put me under for days and just get it all done at once. OHGOD, I HATE THIS SO HARD FOR YOU.
Ugh, I am so sorry. I waited to get my wisdom teeth out until they were giving me such bad headaches that all I could think about was getting those damned teeth out of my head. The actual process (which I was scared shitless about, SURGERY OMG) was actually not bad at all. And they were pretty generous with the percocet afterwards. Hope your experience is as easy… tooth problems SUUUCK.
I remember having all both of mine in the lower jaw pulled at the same time. I was so goosed out on laughing gas that I didn’t feel a thing and was actually laughing when they were trying to get them out of my mouth. It was over so quickly though so not to worry. In other news – I lost a ton of weight during the recovery period. Score!
I just took my 18 year old to have all four removed, they put her out and the whole thing was done in less time than it took them to put her out!
When she came to she was a blubbering mess and confessed she had tried pot once…I about passed out cold on the floor. I looked at the nurse and said UHM what did she say? The nurse patted her leg and told her she would be better off just being quiet! Needless to say we have been able to somewhat laugh about it now because OTHER than that one thing she has been an angel….these kids might be the death of me MK?
ohhh i’m so sorry. i think dental pain is the worst kind there can be (except maybe for childbirth, but at least you GET something out of that). not much else to say other than hang in there – and yes of course they will give you pain meds. bring your headphones and an ipod or something so you don’t have to hear the drill and try to mentally take yourself someplace else. good luck.
It’s not my wisdom teeth, but just had extensive repair work done today on an old cracked filling. The Novocaine just wore off and I am in pain!
Good Luck!!!! I hope you find a kind, sympathetic dentist/surgeon/whatever! Thinking of you….
Owie! I feel you, girl. I’m having no small amount of tooth pain lately myself (partly because of shifting/cramped teeth and partly because I just KNOW I have a cavity in one of my molars) and yet the last thing I want to do is go see a dentist cuz he’ll HURT ME. Rational, I know. So here I am, popping ibuprofen and hopping my liver doesn’t decide to fail anytime soon.
I am so sorry to hear you are in so much pain. I hate hearing stories like yours, and some of the other commentors stories as well. I am a pediatric dentist and try so hard to make sure that my patients have good experiences so they do not end up with phobias.
The oral surgeon should give you some pain meds and maybe even an antibiotic if there is any infection (that usually happens if the tooth is partially erupted, sounds like that isn’t your case). I hope they can get you from consult to the surgery quickly. You can do it!! Hope you feel better very soon.
I hope it wasn’t too bad for you.
I also have no permanent teeth under several baby teeth which are hanging on so far. I figure I’ve made it to 39 with baby teeth, they may last me a lifetime. The benefit from this is that I also never had or will have wisdom teeth come in. Sorry you didn’t have this benefit too. Hope you are feeling better soon.